Nicki Borg Costanzi, 22, achieved an historic feat last Saturday by paddling from Malta to Sicily in a solo kayak - a first for a Maltese - in a time of 15 hours and 57 minutes.
She set off at 3.30 a.m. from St George's Bay along with her father Peter who was also attempting this trip (an unusual sight for Paceville revellers who were still frolicking the night away as the duo were making the last-minute preparations on their boats).
On leaving the bay, Nicki and Peter were joined by their support boat, MY Meteor captained by David Mifsud and they soon encountered heavy swells from different directions. The waves had a negative effect on Peter who got seasick and had to pull up after 23km, leaving Nicki to go it alone for the rest of the journey.
The occasional dolphins and turtles kept her spirits high along the way but the seagulls encouraged her and kept her company for most of the trip.
Keeping a steady 7.5km pace with breaks every 15 to 20km, Nicki was making good time but she had not accounted for the effect the currents would have on her bid. These dragged her easterly, thus lengthening the journey by an extra 10km, bringing the total distance covered to 102 kilometres.
The challenge for Nicki was stunning, a mental and physical battle! She always wanted to do it and now she has accomplished her dream.
Amazingly observed by the crew, she made it look so easy with her consistent stroke and pace. The paddling technique flourished throughout the journey.
Her handheld Garmin GPS was set for 95km and when, at the 92km mark - with land in sight, she was told she had 12km and not 2km to go - she felt shattered and this is where her mental preparation kicked in.
With tears of exhaustion and frustration streaming down her face she dug in and paddled on - with no respite - focused on one purpose and one purpose alone, the nearest point to land on. By this time Peter had more or less recovered and joined up with Nicki for the last 5km.
The landing point was the tip of Pozzallo breakwater with Nicki standing on the rocks below a welcoming statue of Our Lady to her relief and satisfaction. The tiredness and exhaustion then hit home and she barely had the strength to get back to her kayak and paddle a mere 10 metres to the support boat and hugs of her boyfriend/coach Chris Camilleri and the rest of the crew on board.
Nicki's achievement is historic also because she charted unknown territory in Malta's kayaking sporting history, doing so successfully in her unassuming manner.
Such a feat would not have been possible without the help and support of her father Peter, who planned the entire event and supported her throughout, Camilleri for his continuous encouragement, David Mifsud and his boat MY Meteor, George and Anita Attard and Denis Micallef as crew and her family.
A word of thanks also goes to the Malta Canoe Federation and the MOC with whom Nicki is listed as an elite athlete, captain Antonio Donato, of the Pozzallo Guardia Costiera and Col. Emanuel Mallia and Lt Col Martin Sammut of the Maritime Squadron of AFM.